The Identification of Certain Native and Naturalized Hay and Pasture Grasses
by Their Vegetative Characters
The Identification of ... Grasses ...
Contents by Common Name
Annual blue-grass
Awnless brome-grass
Barley, foxtail
wild
Barnyard grass
Bent-grass, carpet
colonial
creeping
Rhode Island
Blue-grass annual
Canada
fowl
Kentucky
rough
Bottle grass
Bristle-grass, green
yellow
Brome-grass, awnless
downy
f ringed
Hungarian
smooth
Brown-top
Canada blue-grass
Canada wild rye
Canary-grass, reed
Chess, downy
Cocksfoot
Colonial bent-grass
Couch grass
Page
32
46
50
50
60
60
57
56
57
32
26
31
27
30
43
43
42
46
45
44
46
46
57
26
38
53
45
33
57
36
Low spear-grass
Lyme grass
Manna-grass, American
fowl
nerved
reed
Meadow fescue
Meadow foxtail
Meadow-grass, annual
flat-stemmed
fowl
reed
rough-stalked
Swamp
Nerved manna-grass
Oat-grass, poverty
tall
wild
Old witch grass
Orchard grass
Panic-grass, capillary
woolly
Perennial rye-grass
Pigeon grass
Poverty grass
Quack grass
Red fescue
Red-top
Reed canary-grass
Reed manna-grass
Page
32
38, 39
29
28
28
29
34
54
32
26
28, 31
29
30
31
28
23
52
23
41
33
41
40
22
42
23
36
25
55
53
29
Couch grass, dog
Crab-grass, large
small
smooth
Creeping bent-grass
Crested wheat-grass
Darnel, common
Downy brome-grass
Fescue, meadow
red
sheep
Finger grass
Fly-away grass
Fowl blue-grass
Fowl meadow-grass
Foxtail, green
meadow
yellow
Fringed brome-grass
Glyceria, tall
Green bristle-grass
Hair grass
Herd's grass
Italian rye-grass
June grass
Kentucky blue-grass
Large crab-grass
58
47
48
48
56
37
22
45
34
25
24
47
59
31
28, 31
43
54
42
44
29
43
59
51
35
27
27
47
Rough blue-grass
Roughstalked meadow-grass
Rye-grass, Italian
perennial
western
Sheep fescue
Slender wheat-grass
Small crab-grass
Squirrel-tail grass
Sweet vernal grass
Tall oat-grass
Terrell grass
Tickle grass
Timothy
Virginia wild rye
Western rye-grass
Wheat-grass, crested
slender
Wild barley
Wild rye, Canada
nodding
Virginia
Wild oat-grass
Wire grass
Woolly panic-grass
Yellow bristle grass
30
30
35
22
58
24
58
48
50
49
52
39
59
51
39
58
37
58
50
38
38
39
23
26
40
23
The Identification of ... Grasses ...
Macdonald College Pasture Committee
L. C. Raymond, Chairman, Assistant Professor of Agronomy
E. W. Crampton, Professor of Animal Nutrition
W. D. McFarlane, Professor of Chemistry.
G. W. Scarth, Professor of Botany (McGill University)
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The authors wish to acknowledge the helpful criticisms and suggestions in the preparation of this bulletin made
by Fr. Marie-Victorin, M. L. Fernald, J. H. Whyte, J. N. Bird, R. R. McKibbin, H. Groh, 0. McConkey and
others, and also the continued support of the Department of Agriculture at Quebec.
The Identification of ... Grasses ...
PREFACE
The botanical composition of the pasture is one of the best guides to its feeding value and, secondly,
botanical analyses are fundamental in the study of grassland.
To recognize grasses at their flowering stage is relatively easy with the many aids that exist, but for their
identification at any time throughout the season and in the close-cropped state the investigator in eastern
Canada has been compelled, in the past, to rely on keys adapted to other countries with a flora different from
his own. The authors of the present bulletin have compiled a key and descriptions which are applicable to
Quebec and for the most part to eastern Canada as a whole. They believe, also, that their key is an
improvement on existing ones, at least for their type of work. They rest their distinctions upon the
morphological features of the parts above the ground, features which are constant and easily observed without
disturbing the sod.
The key is the outcome of practice, not theory, and has been well tried by a series of field investigations.
Such a work, unlike many scientific papers, is not of merely ephemeral interest; it loses none of its value with
the passage of time. Hence, though in any one year the bulletin may be used by relatively few, its cumulative
usefulness would seem to justify its publication.
GEORGE W. SCARTH
Professor of Botany,
McGill University.
PREFACE TO SECOND EDITION
The fact that the first edition of this modest bulletin, designed only to meet a local need, has met with a
profuse and world wide demand, is evidence of the rising interest in grassland research. Combined, however,
with a steady stream of letters of appreciation from pasture workers everywhere and even from leading
taxonomists, this unexpected response has led the authors and sponsors of the bulletin to believe that a new and
revised edition may prove useful.
The changes which have been made are not extensive. For the most part they are involved in systematization
of the nomenclature. In addition, the review of literature is brought up to date and the habitat lists somewhat
amended. The key and the descriptions of species, however, remain the same, having stood the test of
experience.
G. W. S.
The Identification of ... Grasses ...
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The Identification of ... Grasses ...
F. S. NOWOSAD 1 , D. E. NEWTON SWALES2 , and W. G. DORE 3 .
Abstract:-This bulletin presents a key for the identification of thirty-nine
grasses of pastures and meadows of eastern Canada. Characters of the vegetative
parts such as sheath, auricles, collar, ligule, and blade are used for their
separation. Detailed descriptions of these parts and diagrams illustrating the
ligule region are given for each species. The anatomical structure of typical
blades is illustrated by camera lucida drawings.
1. INTRODUCTION
Research on methods of improving pastures and meadows is becoming more and more important in eastern
Canada, where successive years of grazing and cropping have seriously depleted the soil of the mineral
elements required for plant growth. Experiments are being conducted in several parts of Canada and many parts
of the United States on the reaction of the pasture flora to soil, grazing, fertilization and management. These
experiments necessitate a study of the succession of plant species and the changes in the relative area occupied
by each species from year to year. Such changes in the vegetation cannot be satisfactorily followed by general
observations but must be calculated by some more specific method, such as the quadrat method. The use of the
quadrat in grazed pastures involves the Identification of plant species by their above ground parts in the
vegetative stage. The grasses are the most difficult of these species to identify in the flowerless condition.
A practical study of the pasture flora in parts of western Quebec and eastern Ontario revealed the fact that
none of the available keys to the grasses in their vegetative condition was satisfactory for use in this district.
The several excellent keys published both abroad and in the United States included only a few of the grasses of
this region and many not occurring
1 Formerly
Graduate Assistant in Agronomy, Macdonald College, now Assistant Agricultural Scientist,
Division of Forage Plants, Central Experimental Farm, Ottawa, Canada.
2
Formerly Lecturer in Plant Pathology, Macdonald College, Que.
3 Formerly
Graduate Assistant in Agronomy, Macdonald College, now Lecturer in Botany, Department of
Biology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia.
The Identification of ... Grasses ...
within this district at all, so that, while useful, they served the purpose only partially.
Several years of intensive study of the grasses over an area including the lower Ottawa valley, the island of
Montreal, parts of the Laurentian and Appalachian highlands, the Laurentian plain and adjoining upland south
of the St. Lawrence River bordering Vermont and New York State in the Province of Quebec, and the district
surrounding Ottawa in the Province of Ontario, have led to the preparation of this bulletin covering the pasture
and meadow grasses of the area.
2. REVIEW OF LITERATURE
A number of keys to the grasses in the vegetative stage have been published since 1863 when, according to
Ward (1901), the first systematic study of the non-flowering parts of grasses was made by Jessen in Germany.
Twenty-six years later a beautifully illustrated treatise on the vegetative parts of some of the more important
grasses of Switzerland was published by Stebler and Schröter (1889).
McAlpine in 1890 wrote a report on the identification of grasses by their leaves and Ward (1901) prepared a
classification of the grasses based on vegetative and anatomical characters. Lewton-Brain (1904) followed with
an illustrated account of the anatomy of the fifty-one British grasses. In his book on Agricultural Botany,
Percival (1916) included a key to seventeen species of English grasses.
Carrier (1917) compiled a key to forty-eight grasses common in eastern United States. This key proved of
more practical value for field work in eastern Canada than any other available key.
In 1921 Armstrong published a key to the common British grasses using four main pairs of differentiating
characters.
Schindler (1925) of Austria used microscopic features in all extensive key to the grasses based on crosssections of leaf blades.
Two of the most comprehensive keys to be published on the grasses in the non-flowering condition are by
Henning (Sweden 1930) classifying seventy-four species and by Huber (Germany 1931 ) classifying forty-four
species.
Whyte ( 1930) published a key to nineteen British grasses in which sheath colour and pubescence are used as
important distinguishing characters,.
Three important contributions came from the United States within two years. The first by Norton (1930)
contains keys to numerous grasses of Maryland in both flowering and non-flowering stages. The second is by
Keim, Beadle and Frolik (1932) on the prairie hay grasses of Nebraska. The third is by Copple and Aldous
(1932), which, although limited to twenty-six grasses of Kansas, is outstanding in the completeness of its
illustrations of the vegetative parts.
The Identification of ... Grasses ...
Prat (1932) of France published an exhaustive study of the epidermis of leaf blades, sheaths and glumes of
species of the genus Agropyron. He studied many species, in addition, in the tribes outside the Hordeae, his
findings confirming, for the most part, the already existing grouping of the grasses in keys based on
morphology and anatomy. His work has some value in the identification of grasses in their vegetative stage,
although primarily intended for use with mature plants.
Burr and Turner (1933) published a work on the identification of British economic grasses in which they
present two keys, one based on morphological characters and the other on anatomical characters. The
illustrations include camera lucida drawings of cross-sections of grass blades made from free-hand sections.
Vickery (1935) issued the first in a series of papers on the vegetative features, and anatomical characters of
the leaves, of grasses indigenous to New South Wales. A discussion of the general vegetative and anatomical
characters of the grasses is followed by details of these characters in species of the tribes Andropogoneae,
Zoysieae, and Tristegineae. The author plans to conclude her series of papers with an artificial key to the native
grasses of New South Wales in their vegetative state.
Hitchcock (1936) prepared a compact key to the almost two hundred species of grasses of Montana. Certain
of the species within a genus differed so imperceptibly in their vegetative characters that they were grouped,
and the reader was referred to short descriptions, or advised to compare them with authentic herbarium material
for certain identification. Each distinctive species was illustrated by drawings grouped on eight plates at the end
of the key, and the whole was bound in handy form for use in the field.
Pechanec (1936) studied eighteen grasses belonging to eleven different genera in the semi-arid area of the
upper Snake River Plains, Idaho, where, in unusually dry seasons, few or no flowers are produced. This study
formed the basis of a key to the vegetative stages of the grasses as well as detailed descriptions of each species.
Only two of these species occur in eastern Canada.
Theron (1936) described in detail the leaf anatomy of thirty-eight species and six varieties of the genus
Aristida indigenous to South Africa. His work, based on herbarium material in the Botanical Museum of
Berlin-Dahlem, includes an anatomical key to these African grasses as well as drawings of the lower epidermis
and cross-sections of the blades of seventeen species.
3. COMMON GRASS-LIKE PLANTS
There are many common plants occurring in meadows and pastures which might easily be confused with the
true grasses (Gramineae) on account of similarities in vegetative structures. These, however, are confined
mainly to two families, also monocotyledonous, the Sedge Family
The Identification of ... Grasses ...
(Cyperaceae) and the Rush Family (Juncaceae). The first of these families includes six commonly occurring
genera (Carex, Scirpus, Cyperus, Eleocharis, Eriophorum and Dulichium), Carex and Scirpus being the most
important as far as prevalence is concerned. The Juncaceae is constituted mainly of one genus, Juncus, of
which there are several common species, and another rarely occurring genus, Luzula. The species of Carex,
Scirpus and Juncus are numerous and are adapted to a variety of habitats, from very wet to dry and from
exposed to shaded, in which they are invariably associated with each other and with the grasses.
The few diagnostic points presented in the following table will serve to separate these commonly occurring
forms from the true grasses.
Differentiation of the grass-like plants of the families Cyperaceae and Juncaceae from the true grasses
belonging to the Gramineae.
Character
Culm
Gramineae
Usually hollow;
cylindrical or flattened.
Nodes conspicuous.
Leaf
Two-ranked (Plate I. Figs,
Arrangement. 1, 2, 4, 5).
Leaf Sheath Usually split (Plate I. Figs.
2, 4), occasionally closed
(Plate I Fig. 5).
Auricles
Present or absent
Collar
Ligule
A distinct band.
Leaf Blade
Cyperaceae
Filled with pith, rarely
hollow; generally threesided.
Juncaceae
Filled with chambered or
open sponge-like pith;
cylindrical.
Nodes not conspicuous.
Three-ranked (Plate 1,
Fig. 6).
Usually closed (Plate I,
Fig. 6).
Nodes not conspicuous.
Three-ranked (Plate 1,
Fig. 3).
Open or closed. (Closed in
Luzula).
Absent.
Absent or present as
rounded extensions of the
sheath margins
Indistinct.
Absent, or weakly
Present, rarely absent.
developed.
Usually flat, some times
Flat, plicate (Plate II. Fig.
closely folded involute or 1) or bristle-like: rarely
bristle-like; glabrous or
pubescent.
pubescent.
Indistinct.
Absent, or weakly
developed.
Channeled (Plate II, Fig.
2) or terete (flat in
Luzula); glabrous (hairy
on margin and at mouth of
sheath in Luzula).
Margins smooth scabrous Margins usually scabrous. Margins smooth on flat or
or ciliate.
channeled blades.
4. CHARACTERS USED IN THE IDENTIFICATION OF GRAMINEAE
The points of separation used in the included key are based on the characters of the bud-shoot and leaves on
the vegetative or lower parts of the flowering shoots of the plant. The leaves high on the flowering culm
The Identification of ... Grasses ...
are not considered, because they may have longer ligules, shorter and broader blades than those at the base, and
because they are not readily available in closely grazed pastures.
a. The Bud-shoot
The arrangement of the leaves in the bud-shoot, the vernation, is used as the first point in identification. The
blades may be either folded (conduplicate) with the margins meeting but not overlapping (Fig. 1A), or rolled
lengthwise (convolute) with the' margins overlapping (Fig. 1 B).
FIGURE 1. Vernation types: A-Leaf folded in the bud-shoot.
B-Leaf rolled in the bud-shoot
The conduplicate type usually forms a laterally compressed shoot, elliptical or lenticular in cross-section
(Plate I, Fig. 5). In the convolute type the successive leaves are rolled alternately in clockwise and counterclockwise manner, forming a cylindrical shoot as a rule (Plate I, Fig. 1). There are, however, a few exceptions
in this correlation of the vernation and shape of the bud-shoot; for example, Setaria lutescens, Digitaria
sanguinalis and Echimochloa crusgalli (Plate I, Fig. 4) possess rolled blades along with flattened shoots, while
Danthonia spicata (Plate 1, Fig. 2), Festuca rubra and F. ovina have folded blades and more or less cylindrical
shoots.
The nature of the leaves in the bud-shoot provides a fairly natural basis of separation for the grass species. All
the species of the genus Poa and the closely related Glyceria fall into the "folded" class, while all those of the
genera 1grostis, 1gropyron, Bromus and the tribe Paniceae (Panicum, Setaria, Digitaria and Echinochloa) fall
into the "rolled" class. Certain exceptions, however, occur in Lolium and Festuca., which have representatives
of both types.
The vernation may be determined easily by cutting the shoot across immediately below the ligule of the
outermost leaf and examining the section with a hand lens. It may be determined, however, without sectioning,
by an examination of the innermost leaf after stripping off or pulling back the outer leaves from the bud.
Neither of these methods may be necessary
The Identification of ... Grasses ...
with the larger grass species whose vernation may be determined by examining the terminal blades of the budshoot with the unaided eye.
b. The Sheath
The sheath consists of the tubular basal portion of the leaf enveloping the culm or young growing leaves.
Sheaths viewed in cross-section may be compressed as in Dactylis glomerata, Setaria lutescens and Digitaria
sanguinalis, or rounded as in Agrostis alba and Bromus inermis. Occasionally they are keeled at the midrib
(Setaria lutescens, Dactylis glomerata).
FIGURE 2. Sheath types: A-Split. B-Split to near base with
margins overlapping. C-Closed.
The colour of sheaths is generally a paler shade of green than the blades, and the inner sheaths of such
grasses as Dactylis glomerata and Danthonia spicata may lack the green pigment altogether. Purple tints on the
sheaths of upper leaves, or on the exposed parts of basal ones may be due to bright sunlight and are not
constant nor diagnostic. The tender leaves of early spring and in general the foliage of plants growing under
unfavourable conditions (drought or cold) often take on a purplish colour which is transient. Bright red or
purple tints, however, at the base of unexposed sheaths of lower leaves are constant in Festuca elatior and
Alopecurus pratensis and are of value in identification.
The sheath may be completely split without overlapping edges (Fig. 2A) as in some Poa species and
Danthonia spicata, split with overlapping edges (Fig. 2B) as in Agropyron cristatum and Phalaris arundinacea,
closed (Fig. 2C) as in Bromus spp., or closed but easily rupturing as in Glyceria spp.
The Identification of ... Grasses ...
c. The Auricles
The auricles are appendages projecting from the collar, one from each side, and are characteristic structures
of grasses of the tribe Hordeae, including Lolium, Agropyron, Elymus and Hordeum. When present they may
vary in length and shape, from long, terete, firm and clawlike, to short, flat, soft and blunt or so small and
rounded as to appear rudimentary.
FIGURE 3. Auricle types: A-Clawlike. B-Rounded.
C-Rudimentary. D-Absent.
(Fig. 3). Their presence and, to some extent, their morphology are valuable diagnostic characters because of
constancy within a species.
d. The Collar
The collar is a meristematic band or growth zone marking the division point between the blade and the
sheath. This band may be broad (Fig. 4A) or narrow (Fig. 4B), continuous from one margin of the leaf to the
other (Fig. 4A, B) or divided by a conspicuous midrib (Fig. 4C). In some cases one side of the collar is higher
than the other, giving it an oblique appearance (Fig. 4D) as in Phalaris arundinacea and Agrostis alba.
The collar is usually glabrous, but may be pubescent over the whole of its surface (Fig. 4E) as in Agropyron
repens, or bear characteristic hairs or cilia on the margin only (Fig. 4F) as apparently constant in Phleum
pratense. It may bear a tuft of long hairs at either edge (perhaps analagous to an auricle) as in Danthonia
spicata, or a fringe of hispid hairs along the base as in Setaria viridis.
The colour of the collar is usually a paler or more yellowish green than the blade or sheath but may be
temporarily tinged with red as in Setaria lutescens or Digitaria Ischaemum
The Identification of ... Grasses ...
FIGURE 4. Collar types: A-Broad band. B-Narrow band.
C-Divided by midrib. D-Oblique.
E-Pubescent. F-Ciliate.
e. The Ligule
The ligule is a tongue-like outgrowth at the junction of the blade and sheath clasping the culm or the budshoot. It may be simply a fringe of
FIGURE 5. Ligule types: A-Fringe of hairs.
B-Membranous. C-Absent.
hairs (Fig. 5A) as in species of Panicum, Setaria, etc., or may be membranous (Fig. 5B) as in many species.
Rarely it is absent altogether (Fig. 5C) as in Echinochloa crusgalli.
The length of ligule is a useful point in separation and comparison of species. It is very short in Poa
pratensis, Festuca rubra, Agropyron repens,
The Identification of ... Grasses ...
etc., and long in Glyceria spp., Dactylis glomerata, Phalaris arundinacea, etc. The length, however, is variable
to a certain' degree within a species depending on growth conditions, position on the plant and age of the plant.
The membranous types of ligules may be acute (Fig. 6A) as in Glyceria striata, acuminate as in Glyceria
grandis and Dactylis glomerata, rounded (Fig. 6B) as in Agrostis alba, truncate (Fig. 6C) as in Agrostis tenuis,
or emarginate (Fig. 6D) as in Poa compressa.
FIGURE 6. Ligule shapes: A-Acute. B-Rounded.
C-Truncate. D-Emarginate
The margin of the ligule may be entire (Fig. 7A) as in Poa compressa, notched (Fig. 7B) as in Phleum
pratense, toothed as in Digitaria sanguinalis, lacerate (Fig. 7C) as in Agropyron cristatum, or ciliate (Fig. 7D)
as in Anthoxanthum odoratum. Margins of ligules often become worn, split or frayed in old leaves, so care
should be taken to examine those of young, fresh blades.
FIGURE 7. Ligule margins: A-Entire. B-Notched.
C-Lacerate. D-Ciliate
The texture and colour of the ligule varies between species; for example, it is thin and scarious in
Arrhenatherum elatius, thin and white in Poa annua, and thick and opaque in Bromus ciliatus.
The surface of the ligule of the blade is generally glabrous, but may be short-pubescent (Fig. 8) as in all
species of Agrostis, Phalaris arundinacea, etc.
The Identification of ... Grasses ...
The presence or absence of ligules, and their nature, if present, are among the most useful characters for the
identification of grasses in the flowerless condition.
f. The Blade
FIGURE 8. Ligule pubescent on back.
The blade is the free, or non-clasping, part of the leaf above the collar and ligule. It is usually long, linear and
flat but sometimes it is so tightly folded as to appear solid and terete, in which case it may be called "bristlelike" (Fig. 9C). Broad blades may assume a flat (Fig. 9A), partly folded or V-shaped (Fig. 9B), involute (Fig.
9D) or rolled and involute (Fig. 9E) position. The folded and rolled positions are often assumed by flat blades
under dry conditions.
FIGURE 9. Blade shapes in transverse section: A-Flat (Agropyron repens). B-V-shaped (Poa pratensis). C-Bristle-like
(Festuca ovina). D-Involute (Danthonia spicata). E-Rolled.
with involute margins (Agrostis tenuis).
The width and length of blades, although variable within a certain limit in a species or on a single plant, are
often of considerable value in separating certain grasses. The shape of the blade, whether parallel-sided or
tapering gradually from a truncate or broad base to the apex, and the
The Identification of ... Grasses ...
shape of the apex, whether sharp, boat-shaped or blunt are also characters of importance. (Fig. 10, A and B).
The blade surfaces may be quite smooth as in Poa spp., Glyceria spp. and Dactylis glomerata (Plate III). This
type is frequently associated with "folded" blades bearing motor cells on either side, or over the midrib.
FIGURE 10. Blade tips: A-Taperpointed apex. B-Boat-shaped
apex.
Folded blades, however, may be deeply ridged as in Lolium perenne (Plate V, Fig. 2), Festuca rubra and F.
ovina (Plate II, Figs. 3, 4) in which the development of motor cells is not marked. Blades rolled in the budshoot may be smooth, particularly in annual grasses such as Setaria viridis, S. luteseens (Plate IV, Figs. 1, 2, 3),
Digitaria Ischaemum and Echinochloa
FIGURE 11. Blade surfaces: A-Ridged
and not keeled (Agrostis alba).
B-Not ridgedand keeled
(Echinochloa crusgalli).
crusgalli (Fig. 11B) or, as is usually the case with perennials, may be ridged, with motor cells in the furrows
between each ridge as in Agrostis alba (Fig. 11A) and A1opecurus pratensis (Plate V, Fig. 1). The midrib is
sometimes prominent on the under surface of the blade, forming a keel (Fig. 11B) as in Dactylis glomerata
(Plate III, Fig. 6) and Arrhenatherum elatius (Plate V, Fig. 4).
The Identification of ... Grasses ...
The thin-walled motor cells lose and regain water rapidly, becoming limp and flaccid when the leaves fold or
roll in dry weather, and turgid when the leaves open in damp weather. Motor cells show up as pale green lines
by transmitted light, a valuable diagnostic point for such genera as Poa and Glyceria in which a distinct line
occurs on each side of the midrib. In Glyceria grandis, Phalaris arundinacea, Muhlenbergia spp., and others,
transmitted light will show a network formed by tiny cross-veins at right angles to the main veins conspicuous
enough to be seen with the naked eye, and therefore useful in the field diagnoses. It should be noted that
although the terms "ridges" and "veins" are used interchangeably in some popular descriptions of grass leaves,
the two are not necessarily associated. For example, although the vascular bundles or veins of most grasses
occur under the ridges, they are between the ridges in Glyceria striata and G. grandis (Plate III. Figs. 7, 8).
Veins may appear as dark green, or as white lines according to the presence or absence of chlorophyll tissue
above and below the vascular bundles.
Pubescence is a variable character within a species, and even between leaves, but in some grasses, such as
Panicum spp. and Setaria lutescens, long conspicuous hairs are of great significance.
The colour of the blade varies with the intensity of the light and the soil in which the grass is growing, as
well as with the age of the plant. There are, however, distinct pale greens as in Poa annua, yellow greens as in
Glyceria grandis, blue greens as in Festuca ovina and Poa compressa, and deep greens as in Poa pratensis.
The surface may be shiny or dull, glaucous or not glaucous, giving a variation in the appearance of the basic
colour.
The margins of the blade are usually scabrous (Setaria viridis, Agropyron repens) but may be smooth
(Agropyron cristatum, Digitaria Ischaemum) or ciliate (Panicum capillare).
The Identification of ... Grasses ...
5. KEY FOR IDENTIFICATION
A. Leaf-blade folded in the bud-shoot.
B. Auricles present; lower sheaths reddish at base; glabrous throughout.
1. Lolium perenne
BB. Auricles absent.
C. Ligule a fringe of hairs; tuft of long hairs at margins of collar; sheath often
pilose; plant tufted.
2. Danthonia spicata
CC. Ligule membranous; no long hairs at margins of collar; sheath glabrous
or densely puberulent.
D. Blade narrow or bristle-like, prominently ridged on the upper (inner) surface.
E. Ligule less than 0.5 mm. long or obsolete; sheath split; leaves glaucous,
blue-green; plant tufted.
3. Festuca ovina
EE. Ligule about 0.5 mm. long; sheath closed nearly to top; leaves not glaucous,
dark green; plant not tufted.
4. Festuca rubra
DD. Blade flat, not bristle-like, not prominently ridged on upper surface.
E. Median lines present; tip of blade boat-shaped, abruptly pointed;
blade less than 6 mm. wide (except in 8).
F. Ligule truncate, short (less than 1.0 mm. long).
G. Sheath keeled; ligule short (usually 1 mm. long), emarginate; blade
short (2 to 10 cm.), broadest at base, gradually tapering to apex;
foliage blue-green, often glaucous; minute hairs on margin of
collar absent.
5. Poa compressa
Sheath not keeled; ligule shorter than in 5, usually 0.5 mm. long,
entire; blade long (5 to 30 cm), parallel-sided; foliage deep-green,
not glaucous; minute hairs often present on margin of collar.
6. Poa pratensis
FF. Ligule obtuse or acute, long (more than 1.0 mm. long).
G. Sheath with cross-veins joining the main veins.
H. Blade 3 to 5 mm. wide; sheath not keeled.
7. Glyceria striata
HH. Blade 6 to 15 mm. wide; sheath keeled.
8. Glyceria grandis.
GG. Sheath without evident cross-veins.
H. Blade truncate at base and tapering to a narrow
boat-shaped tip; sheath usually scabrous; perennial.
The Identification of ... Grasses ...
I. Blade glossy on under surface.
9. Poa trivialis
II. Blade not glossy on under surface.
10. Poa palustris
HH. Blade not tapering (parallel-sided), often puckered;
tip abruptly pointed and boat-shaped;
sheath smooth; annual.
11. Poa annua
EE. Median lines absent; tip of blade taper-pointed; blade broad
(more than 6 mm. wide); plant tufted.
12. Dactylis glomerata
AA. Leaf-blade rolled in the bud-shoot.
B. Auricles present.
C. Blade glossy on under surface; margin of ligule not ciliate; auricles soft, blunt to clawlike.
D. Blade scabrous on the margins, ligule generally 0.5 mm. long or less.
13. Festuca elatior
DD. Blade smooth on the margins near the base; ligule generally 1.0 mm. long or more.
14. Lolium multiflorum
CC. Blade not glossy on under surface; margin of ligule ciliate or lacerate;
auricles stiff, clawlike.
D. Blade usually pilose on the upper surface; sheaths, especially the lowest,
with short pubescence.
E. Collar minutely pubescent; midrib not pronounced on under surface of blade;
upper surface not prominently ridged; ligule 1.0 mm. long or less.
15. Agropyron repens
EE. Collar glabrous; midrib conspicuous on under surface of blade;
upper surface of blade prominently ridged; ligule 0.5 to 1.5 mm. long.
16. Agropyron cristatum
DD. Blade glabrous; sheaths glabrous (except sometimes on the margin); collar
glabrous; midrib conspicuous on under side of blade.
E. Margin of sheath ciliate; blade almost smooth on the under surface,
about 10 mm. wide; ligule about 1 mm. long.
17. Elymus canadensis
EE. Margin of sheath glabrous or scabrous, rarely ciliate;
blade scabrous on both surfaces,
about 8 mm. wide; ligule about 0.5 mm. long.
18. Etymus-virginicus
BB. Auricles absent or rudimentary.
C. Ligule present.
The Identification of ... Grasses ...
D. Ligule a fringe of hairs.
E. Blade densely pubescent on both surfaces.
F. Basal leaves short, ovate and coarse, forming a rosette; ligule
3 to 5 mm. long; a small perennial with short (legs than 5 cm. long)
leaves.
19. Panicum implicatum.
FF. Basal leaves long, soft and similar to the cauline leaves;
ligule 1 to 2 mm. long; a stout annual with large
(10 to 20 cm. long) leaves.
20. Panicum capillare
EE. Blade glabrous, at least on the under surface.
F. Margins of sheath glabrous; blade sparsely hairy at base
on upper surface,
the hairs long, twisted and flexuous; collar glabrous.
21. Setaria lutescens
FF. Margins of sheath pubescent; blade entirely glabrous;
base of collar fringed with hairs.
22. Setaria viridis
DD. Ligule membranous.
E. Sheath closed.
F. Sheath and blade pubescent.
G. Ligule short (0.5 to 1 mm. long).
23. Bromus ciliatus
GG. Ligule long (1.5 to 2.5 mm. long).
24. Bromus tectorum
FF. Sheath and blade glabrous.
25. Bromus inermis
EE. Sheath split (margins generally overlapping).
F. Hairs present (on sheath or on blade or on collar).
G. Sheath compressed.
H. Sheath pubescent.
26. Digitaria sanguinalis
HH. Sheath glabrous.
27. Digitaria Ischaemum
GG. Sheath not compressed.
H. Long hairs on margin of collar; blades bright green;
coumarin scented.
28. Anthoxanthum odoratum
The Identification of ... Grasses ...
HH. Collar glabrous; blades bluish green; glaucous; not scented.
29. Hordeum jubatum
FF. Glabrous throughout (except ciliate collar in 30).
G. broad (more than 1.5 mm. wide).
H. Ligule long (more than 1.5 mm. long).
I. Margin of collar retrorsely ciliate; ligule with prominent
notch at either side, glabrous on back
30. PhIeum pratense
II. Margin of collar glabrous; ligule without a notch at either
side, minutely pubescent on back.
J. Sheath keeled.
31. Arrhenatherum elatius
JJ. Sheath not keeled.
K. Blade 6 to 15 mm. wide; ligule white, papery, 2 to
8 mm. long, acute or obtuse.
32. Phalaris arundinacea
KK. Blade 3 to 8 mm. wide; ligule thick-membranous,
1.5 to 2.5 mm. long, truncate.
33. Alopecurus pratensis
KKK. Blade 1.5 to 7 mm. wide; ligule thin-membranous,
1.5 to 4 mm. long, rounded or acute.
L. Stolons absent; rhizomes long.
34. Agrostis alba
LL. Stolons long leafy, prostrate, rooting at nodes.
35. Agrostis palustris
HH. Ligule short (less than 1.5 mm. long), truncate.
I. Blade 1.5 to 3.5 mm. wide; auricles absent; plant with
short rootstocks.
36. Agrostis tenuis
II. Blade 3 to 6 mm. wide; auricles rudimentary or absent;
plant tufted.
37. Agropyron pauciflorum
GG. Blade narrow (less than 1.5 mm. wide), soft, generally involute and
thread-like especially when dry; plant tufted.
38. Agrostis hiemalis
CC. Ligule absent; sheath compressed; plant glabrous.
39. Echinochloa crusgalli
The Identification of ... Grasses ...
6. LIST OF LESS COMMON GRASSES (NOT INCLUDED IN
THE KEY) CLASSIFIED AS TO THEIR HABITAT
Dry, Sandy or Light Soils
Agropyron subsecundum (Link) Hitchc.
Andropogon jurcatus Muhl.
Danthonia compressa Austin
Panicum boreale Nash
Panicum linearifolium Scribn.
Sporobolus neglectus Nash
Sporobolus vaginiflorus (Torr.) Wood
Trisetum spicatum (L.) Richt.
Moist to Wet Soils
Agrostis perennans (Walt.) Tuckerm.
Alopecurus aequalis Sobol.
Calamagrostis canadensis (Michx.) Beauv.
Deschampsia caespitosa (L.) Beauv.
Elymus riparius Wieg.
Glyceria canadensis (Michx.) Trin.
Muhlenbergia sylvatica Torr.
Panicum clandestinum L.
Poa saltuensis Fern. & Wieg.
Semi-aquatic to Aquatic Habitat
Glyceria borealis (Nash) Botch.
Leersia oryzoides (L.) Swartz
Phragmites communis Trin.
Spartina pectinata Link
Zizania aquatica L.
Shaded or Wooded Habitat
Brachyelytrum erectum (Schreb.) Beauv.
Cinna arundinacea L.
Hystrix patula Moench.
Leersia virginica Willd.
Milium effusum L.
Oryzopsis asperifolia Michx.
Oryzopsis racemosa (J. E. Smith) Ricker
Poa nemoralis L.
Schizachne purpurascens (Torr.) Swaller
The Identification of ... Grasses ...
7. DESCRIPTION OF GRASSES
LOLIUM PERENNE
1. Lolium perenne L. PERENNIAL RYE-GRASS) COMMON DARNEL.
A fibrous-rooted, entirely glabrous, tufted perennial occurring almost exclusively in periodically reseeded
meadows and pastures.
Leaves folded in the bud-shoot. Sheath usually compressed but sometimes almost cylindrical, not keeled,
glabrous, pale green, reddish at base, closed or split. Auricles small, soft, clawlike. Collar narrow, distinct,
glabrous, yellowish to whitish green. Ligule thin-membranous, 0.5 to 2 mm. long, obtuse, toothed near the
apex. Blade 2 to 6 mm. wide, 5 to 15 cm. long, sharply taper-pointed, keeled, prominently ridged on upper
surface, smooth and glossy on lower surface, bright green; margins slightly scabrous.
This grass closely resembles L. multiflorum and Festuca elatior, from which it is distinguished by the folded
leaves in the bud-shoot.
The Identification of ... Grasses ...
DANTHONIA SPICATA
2. Danthonia spicata (L.) Beauv. POVERTY GRASS) WILD OAT-GRASS, POVERTY OAT-GRASS.
A short-leaved, light green, tufted perennial found on dry and poor sandy or gravelly soils, often predominating
in depleted natural pastures where, although grazed by cattle when young, it soon becomes wiry, tough and
unpalatable.
Leaves folded in the bud-shoot. Sheath not compressed, not keeled, usually pilose-pubescent, pale green to
white, split to base. Auricles absent. Collar narrow, continuous, with long hairs on margins, lighter in colour
than the blade. Ligule a fringe of hairs 0.2 to 1.2 mm. long. Blade 2 to 3 mm. wide, basal leaves 5 to 15 cm.
long, not keeled, very sharply pointed, flat with margins becoming involute in dry weather, twisted and curled
when dead, generally sparsely pilose but often glabrous; upper surface dull green or glaucous, ridged near
midrib; under surface bright green, sometimes glossy, not ridged; margins slightly scabrous.
The Identification of ... Grasses ...
FESTUCA OVINA
3. Festuca ovina L. SHEEP FESCUE, SHEEP'S FESCUE.
A fibrous-rooted, densely-tufted, narrow-leaved perennial growing on poor dry soils, on top of knolls and, in
general, in exposed situations; sometimes occurring in pastures and lawns.
Leaves folded in the bud-shoot. Sheath not compressed, not keeled, finely and densely pubescent, bluish
green (lower ones sometimes pinkish at base), glaucous, split with margins generally overlapping; dead sheaths
pale brown. Auricles absent, or present as rounded cartilaginous thickenings of the margins of the collar.
Collar indistinct, narrow, glabrous. Ligule membranous, very short (less than 0.5 mm. long) or obsolete,
truncate, ciliate. Blade closely and permanently folded, bristle-like, about 1 mm. in diameter, 5 to 15 cm. long,
pale, bluish green, glaucous, deeply ridged on upper (inner) surface, glabrous or finely pubescent at base,
usually scabrous; margins smooth.
This species can be distinguished from F. rubra by being glaucous, densely tufted, and having blades folded,
even under moist conditions.
The Identification of ... Grasses ...
FESTUCA RUBRA
4. Festuca rubra. L. RED FESCUE.
A narrow-leaved perennial, with short running rootstocks (except in F. Rubra var. fallax. Chewing's Fescue)
but frequently showing tufted growth; occurring throughout the greater part of southern Quebec in meadows
and pastures on moister and better soils than F. ovina.
Leaves folded in the bud-shoot. Sheath not compressed, not keeled, finely pubescent, split part way only;
dead basal sheaths reddish brown, becoming fibrillose. Auricles absent or present as rounded extensions of the
margins of the collar. Collar indistinct, narrow, continuous, glabrous, pale green. Ligule membranous, about
0.5 mm. long, truncate, entire or ciliolate. Blade 1.5 to 3 mm. wide, 5 to 15 cm. long, thick, V-shaped to
closely folded and bristle-like, dark green, deeply ridged on upper surface, smooth and slightly shiny on under
surface; margins smooth.
Festuca rubra can be distinguished from F. ovina by its dark green colour, its habit of spreading, forming an
even or somewhat tufted turf, and by its leaves, which are usually open but may close, depending on moisture
conditions.
The Identification of ... Grasses ...
POA COMPRESSA
5. Poa compressa L. CANADA BLUE-GRASS, WIRE-GRASS, FLAT-STEMMED MEADOW-GRASS.
A bluish green, flat-stemmed perennial with creeping rootstocks and forming a loose turf; frequent on dry
usually sterile soil in meadows, pastures and waste places; sometimes used in mixtures for seeding pastures and
lawns.
Leaves folded in the bud-shoot. Sheath strongly compressed and sharply keeled, glabrous, green or purpletinged, usually split to base, the margins being hyaline and not overlapping. Auricles absent. Collar narrow,
glabrous, light green, divided by the midrib. Ligule membranous, white, short (0.2 to 1.2 mm. long), truncate or
emarginate, entire. Blade 2 to 5 mm. wide, 2 to 10 cm. long, flat to slightly V-shaped, sharply keeled below,
broadest at base, tapering throughout its length to a boat-shaped tip, glabrous, not ridged, bluish green,
somewhat glaucous; margins slightly scabrous; the row of motor cells on each side of the midrib show as two
light lines by transmitted light; the short, firm blades make broad angles with the axis of the shoot.
The leaves of this grass, in contrast to those of P. pratensis are a pale bluish or glaucous green, rather than a
deep green colour, and are never shiny and always glabrous. The ligule is longer, paler and more conspicuous.
The Identification of ... Grasses ...
POA PRATENSIS
6. Poa pratensis L. KENTUCKY BLUE-GRASS, JUNE GRASS.
A dark green leafy perennial with creeping rootstocks, forming a dense sod; common in pastures, meadows,
roadsides and lawns, thriving best in good soils with a moderate amount of moisture.
Leaves folded in the bud-shoot. Sheath compressed but not sharply keeled, glabrous, green, closed when
young but later split with margins sometimes overlapping. Auricles absent. Collar medium broad, usually
ciliate, yellowish green, slightly divided by the midrib. Ligule membranous, very short (0.2 to 0.6 mm. long),
truncate, entire to finely ciliate, puberulent on back. Blade 2 to 5 mm. wide, 5 to 40 cm. long, usually Vshaped, tightly folded in dry weather, keeled below, parallel-sided and abruptly narrowed to a boat-shaped tip,
sometimes minutely pubescent, not ridged, deep green, sometimes shiny on under surface, not glaucous;
margins scabrous; the row of motor cells on each side of the midrib shows as two light lines by transmitted
light; the long blades forming almost right angles with the axis of the shoot.
Poa pratensis is distinguished from P. compressa by the deeper green colour of its foliage, by the longer,
parallel-sided blades, which are sometimes puberulent towards the base, and by the shorter ligule.
This grass, when growing in dry situations, has its narrow blades closely folded and might easily be confused
with Festuca rubra. The absence of ridges on the inner surface when the blade is unfolded will distinguish it.
The Identification of ... Grasses ...
GLYCERIA STRIATA
7. Glyceria striata (Lam.) Hitchc. NERVED MANNA-GRASS, FOWL MANNAGRASS, FOWL MEADOWGRASS.
Glyceria nervata (Willd.) Trin.
Panicularia nervato (Willd.) Kuntze
A native perennial with short rootstocks giving rise to erect leafy shoots in a loose tuft; found in moist
meadows, pastures and ditches.
Leaves folded in the bud-shoot. Sheath flattened or elliptical but not prominently keeled, slightly scabrous
pale green to purple or at least tinged with purple, prominently cross-nerved, closed almost to the summit but
splitting easily due to its membranous nature. Auricles absent. Collar not conspicuous, glabrous, pale, divided
by midrib. Ligule thin-membranous, 2 to 4 mm. long, acute, entire. Blade 2.5 to 5 mm. wide, 5 to 25 cm. long,
flat or V-shaped, abruptly acute and boat-shaped at tip, glabrous, faintly ridged, pale green, not glossy, with the
two median lines conspicuous; the younger blades remain folded for some time and arise at a sharp angle from
the shoot; margins scabrous, especially towards the apex.
This species is distinguished from G. grandis by its narrower leaves, its purple-tinted sheaths, absence of
conspicuous cross-nerves in the blades and its lower soil moisture requirement.
The Identification of ... Grasses ...
GLYCERIA GRANDIS
8. Glyceria grandis Wats. REED MANNA-GRASS, AMERICAN MANNAGRASS, REED MEADOWGRASS, TALL GLYCERIA.
Panicularia americana (Torr.) MacM.
Panicularia grandis Nash
A tall, erect, stout, glabrous perennial growing in wet soils, on banks of streams, in moist meadows and in
ditches.
Leaves folded in the bud-shoot. Sheath compressed and keeled, glabrous, smooth or slightly scabrous, closed
almost to the top but rupturing easily, pale yellowish green, with conspicuous cross-nerves connecting main
veins. Auricles absent. Collar prominent, glabrous, pale green or yellowish brown, divided by the midrib.
Ligule membranous, 2.0 to 5.0 mm. long, truncate to acute, abruptly sharp acuminate, entire or slightly
undulate. Blade 6 to 15 mm. wide 10 to 40 cm. long, V-shaped or flat with boat-shaped apex,. glabrous, pale
green, quite scabrous and faintly ridged on the upper surface, smooth or slightly scabrous on the keeled
underside; transverse veins numerous and distinct forming a network with longitudinal veins; margins
scabrous; the row of motor cells on each side of midrib showing as two light lines by transmitted light.
This grass is distinctly yellowish green in colour and the leaves are firm, erect and not conspicuously ridged.
The cross-nerves joining the veins, interrupting the air-filled lacunae, are distinct in both sheaths and blades of
this species.
Table of
Contents
Ye Olde Library
Card Catalogue
The Identification of ... Grasses ...
POA TRIVIALIS
9. Poa trivialis L. ROUGH BLUE-GRASS, ROUGH-STALKED MEADOW-GRASS.
A bright green perennial spreading by stolons and growing in rich soil in wet meadows, ditches and
cultivated fields; not very common except where recently seeded.
Leaves folded in the bud-shoot. Sheath compressed and sharply keeled, generally scabrous, green or purple
tinted, split part way only. Auricles absent. Collar broad, distinct, glabrous, divided by the midrib. Ligule
membranous, 2 to 3 mm. long, acute, entire or ciliate. Blade 2 to 4.5 mm. wide, 7 to 15 cm. long, flat, tapering
from the base to the tip which is narrowly boat-shaped, yellowish green, slightly retrorsely scabrous on upper
surface, .glossy and keeled on lower surface; median lines not prominent; margins scabrous.
This grass resembles a few other species of Poa but may be distinguished by its scabrous sheath and the
glossy under-surface of the blade.
The Identification of ... Grasses ...
POA PALUSTRIS
10. Poa palustris L. FOWL BLUE-GRASS, FOWL MEADOW-GRASS, SWAMP MEADOW-GRASS.
Poa triflora Gilib.
Poa, serotina Ehrh.
A perennial with short rootstocks which produce a few leafy shoots forming loose tufts; thrives best in moist
meadows and pastures, in ditches and along streams.
Leaves folded in the bud-shoot. Sheath compressed and keeled, glabrous, slightly scabrous, green, split
nearly to base with margins overlapping part of the way; margins scarious. Auricles absent. Collar distinct,
glabrous, pale green, V-shaped. Ligule membranous, 1.5 to 3.5 mm. long, acute, entire or often toothed. Blade
2 to 4 mm. wide, 7 to 15 cm. long, flat or slightly V-shaped, keeled, broad at base, tapering to tip, slightly
scabrous, pale green, not ridged but showing two light lines along midrib which are more distinct near the tip
than at the base of blade; margins minutely hairy, retrorsely so at base.
Its distinguishing characters are its long acute ligule, compressed and keeled sheaths, and broad truncatebased blades which stand erect or ascending on the shoots.
The Identification of ... Grasses ...
POA ANNUA
11. Poa annua L. ANNUAL BLUE-GRASS, LOW SPEAR-GRASS, ANNUAL MEADOW-GRASS.
A low-growing, glabrous, tufted annual of cultivated and waste ground, paths, lawns and barnyards; widely
distributed in the regions studied; flowering and fruiting readily even when severely tramped and frequently
clipped.
Leaves folded in the bud-shoot. Sheath compressed and slightly keeled, glabrous, light green, split part way
only; margins membranous and usually overlapping. Auricles absent. Collar distinct, glabrous, pale green, Vshaped. Ligule membranous, white, 1.0 to 3.0 mm. (usually 1.2 to 1.8 mm.) long, acute, entire. Blade 1.5 to 4
mm. wide, 2 to 8 cm. long, flat or V-shaped in section at base with sub-acute tip, light green, not glossy, thin,
soft, often cross-wrinkled; two distinct light lines may be seen along the midvein by transmitted light; margins
glabrous, slightly scabrous towards tip; the blades are widely spreading from the axis of the shoot.
Its non-stoloniferous habit, its soft, pale green and generally puckered blades, and its white, fairly
conspicuous ligules are diagnostic.
The Identification of ... Grasses ...
DACTYLIS GLOMERATA
12. Dactylis glomerata L. ORCHARD GRASS, COCKSFOOT.
A coarse, tufted, glabrous perennial, of meadows, waste places and roadsides.
Leaves folded in the bud-shoot. Sheath much compressed, keeled, glabrous, green on upper part but very
pale green or white on lower part, split part way, closed below. Auricles absent. Collar broad, distinct,
glabrous, yellowish green, divided by the midrib. Ligule membranous, white, 2 to 8 mm. long, truncate, usually
with awn-like point at apex, ciliolate, sometimes split to base. Blade 5 to 12 mm. wide, 8 to 40 cm. long, flat,
V-shaped in cross-section near base, sharply keeled below, gradually tapering to an acute point, not ridged but
with a deep furrow over the midrib, pale green, sometimes glaucous; margins almost smooth or scabrous.
The Identification of ... Grasses ...
FESTUCA ELATIOR
13. Festuca elatior L. MEADOW FESCUE.
F. pratensis Huds.
A tufted, deep-rooted perennial growing commonly on good soil in meadows but occurring also in pastures,
along roadsides, river banks and in waste places.
Leaves rolled in the bud-shoot. Sheath not compressed, not keeled, glabrous, pale green, reddish to purple at
base, split to very near the base with the hyaline margins overlapping. Auricles present, 0.5 to 1.5 mm. long,
soft, clawlike or blunt, yellow-green to creamy-white. Collar broad, distinct, glabrous, yellow-green to cream
colour; margins thin, dilated and often wavy. Ligule membranous, greenish, short (0.2 to 0.5 mm. long),
truncate to obtuse, entire. Blade 3 to 8 mm. wide, 10 to 50 cm. long, bright green; upper surface dull, scabrous
and prominently ridged; lower surface glossy, smooth and slightly keeled; margins scabrous.
This grass is distinguished from Lolium perenne by rolled bud-leaves and from Lolium multiflorum by the
rough leaf-margins and very short truncate ligule.
The Identification of ... Grasses ...
LOLIUM MULTIFLORUM
14. Lolium multiflorum Lam. ITALIAN RYE-GRASS.
L. italicum A. Br.
A glabrous, tufted, short-lived, perennial, very similar to L. perenne and Festuca elatior in general
appearance; sometimes seeded in meadow and pasture mixtures but seldom persisting for more than one
season.
Leaves rolled in the bud-shoot. Sheath not compressed, not keeled, glabrous, green, pinkish at base, split;
margins hyaline and overlapping. Auricles present, 1 to 3 mm. long, soft, flat and pointed or sometimes blunt
or clawlike. Collar broad, distinct, continuous, glabrous, pale to yellowish green; margins thin and dilated.
Ligule membranous, 0.5 to 2.0 mm. long, obtuse, entire. Blade 4 to 7 mm. wide, 10 to 40 cm. long, soft, bright
green; upper surface dull, prominently ridged; lower surface smooth, glossy and slightly keeled; margins
smooth at base.
This species is distinguished from L. perenne by its rolled bud-leaves, and from Festuca elatior by its smooth
leaf-margins, narrower auricles and longer ligule.
The Identification of ... Grasses ...
AGROYPRON REPENS
15. Agropyron repens (L.) Beauv. COUCH GRASS, QUACK GRASS.
A perennial with long running rootstocks which ramify through the soil and send up numerous shoots,
forming a loose but tough sod; a grass of wide distribution and one of the weeds most difficult to eradicate
from cultivated fields.
Leaves rolled in the bud-shoot. Sheath not compressed, not keeled, pubescent with soft, short, erect or
retrorse hairs especially on lower leaves, rarely glabrous, green, split, with hyaline margins overlapping.
Auricles present, 1 to 3 mm. long, slender, terete, clawlike, clasping. Collar distinct, puberulent both inside
and outside, whitish, yellowish or sometimes purplish tinged, broad, V-shaped, divided by midrib, oblique.
Ligule membranous, 0.5 to 1.0 mm. long, obtuse, finely tooth-fringed, ciliolate or entire. Blade 3 to 10 mm.
wide, 8 to 20 cm. long, flat, slightly keeled at base, sharp-pointed, green sometimes slightly glaucous; upper
surface generally sparsely pilose-pubescent, slightly ridged but midrib not conspicuous; margins and upper
surface harsh-scabrous.
This grass is extremely variable in the degree of hairiness of the blades and sheaths. The hairs are more
noticeable on the young leaves in the spring than on those formed later in the season. Agropyron repens may be
distinguished from A. cristatum by its puberulent collar and less conspicuously ridged blade.
The Identification of ... Grasses ...
AGROPYRON CRISTATUM
16. Agropyron cristatum (L.) Gaertn. CRESTED WHEAT-GRASS.
A light bluish green perennial, with fibrous rootstocks occurring in reseeded hay-meadows or pastures,
growing equally well on both heavy and light soil; in western Canada some strains are used extensively for
fairways and lawns.
Leaves rolled in the bud-shoot. Sheath not compressed, not keeled, glabrous or the lowest usually soft
pubescent, slightly scabrous, dark green, split with margins overlapping. Auricles present, 1.0 to 1.5 mm. long,
clawlike, not clasping. Collar distinct, glabrous or ciliate, light green or yellow, V-shaped, divided. Ligule
membranous, 0.5 to 1.5 mm. long, truncate, lacerate. Blade 2 to 6 mm. wide, 5 to 20 cm. long, flat, tapering to
a sharp point, pale bluish green; upper surface scabrous, conspicuously ridged and usually soft pubescent; lower
surface smooth; margins scabrous.
This species is distinguished from A. repens by its glabrous collar and its conspicuously ridged blades.
The Identification of ... Grasses ...
ELYMUS CANADENSIS
17. Elymus canadensis L. CANADA WILD RYE, NODDING WILD RYE, LYME GRASS.
E. robustus Scribn. & J. G. Smith, var. vestitus Wieg.
E. Wiegandii. Fern.
A tall, erect, dark green or glaucous perennial, with short rhizomes, thriving on moist soils and forming a
loose sod; found in natural meadows, along stream banks and in damp open woods.
Leaves rolled in the bud-shoot. Sheath not compressed, not keeled, green or glaucous, sometimes pinkish at
base, glabrous, smooth, split with edges overlapping, the innermost margin broadly hyaline, the outermost
ciliate with hairs to 1.5 mm. long. Auricles present, narrow, 1.0 to 2.5 mm. long, claw-like, clasping. Collar
distinct, broad, continuous, glabrous, yellowish green, often oblique. Ligule coarse-membranous, greenish, 0.5
to 1.5 mm. long, truncate, finely notched and short-ciliate. Blade 8 to 20 mm. wide, 10 to 30 cm. long, dark
green, sometimes glaucous, flat, tapering, sharp-pointed, dull, prominently ridged and slightly scabrous on the
upper surface, almost smooth on the under surface, the midrib forming a keel toward the base; margins
scabrous.
Elymus canadensis generally has broader and smoother blades and longer ligule than E. virginicus. Both
species have broader and coarser blades than Agropyron cristatum.
The Identification of ... Grasses ...
ELYMUS VIRGINICUS
18. Elymus virginicus L. VIRGINIA WILD RYE, LYME GRASS) TERRELL GRASS.
A tall, loosely tufted perennial of natural meadows, stream banks, thin woodlands or open soil.
Leaves rolled in the bud-shoot. Sheath not compressed, not keeled, glabrous or rarely sparsely retrorse-hairy
on the veins, smooth or sometimes slightly scabrous, green or the outer sheaths sometimes reddish at the base,
split to the base, the edges overlapping, the margin of the outer one being scabrous, glabrous, or rarely sparsely
ciliate, the margin of the inner hyaline, smooth and glabrous. Auricles present, 0.5 to 1.5 mm. long, sharp and
clawlike, or rounded. Collar broad, continuous glabrous, yellow-green, often oblique. Ligule thickmembranous, greenish, about 0.5 mm. long, truncate, undulate, ciliolate. Blade 4 to 12 mm. wide, 10 to 30 cm.
long, flat, tapering to a sharp point; upper surface dull and sometimes slightly glaucous, distinctly nerved with
small and close ridges; lower surface bright green with the distinct midrib forming a keel; scabrous on both
surfaces; margins scabrous.
This species may be distinguished from E. canadensis by having narrower blades, shorter ligule and more
scabrous surfaces of blades. Both species of Elymus have broader and coarser blades than Agropyron
Cristatum.
The Identification of ... Grasses ...
PANICUM IMPLICATUM
19. Panicum implicatum Scribn. WOOLLY PANIC-GRASS.
P. Lindheimeri Nash, var. implicatum (Scribn.) Fern.
P. lanuginasum Ell., var. implicatum (Scribn.) Fern.
A lowgrowing, tufted, perennial panic-grass with soft-hairy blades and sheaths commonly growing in sandy,
dry and sterile pastures and meadows or rarely in moister soils.
Leaves rolled in the bud-shoot. Sheath not compressed, not keeled, densely papillose-pilose with erect hairs
1 to 2 mm. long, split to base, loose; margins not as broadly hyaline as in P. capillare. Auricles absent. Collar
broad, distinct, pubescent, yellowish or light green, Ligule a fringe of long (3 to 5 mm.) and short (0.5 to 1
mm.) hairs. Blade 3 to 7 mm. wide, 3 to 5 cm. long, flat, cordate at base and tapering to the pointed tip, long,
firm, erect or ascending, pilose on the upper surface with erect, whitish hairs 2 to 4 mm. long, densely
appressed-pubescent on the lower surface, green, not ridged, not keeled; midrib not conspicuous; margins often
involute towards the apex, scabrous. The basal leaves forming the winter rosette are 4 to 5 mm. wide, 1 to 2 cm.
long, lanceolate-ovate, acuminate, coriaceous, green in the autumn, becoming brown and persisting in the
following summer, glabrous on the surfaces but long-ciliate on the margins, finely ridged.
This grass is distinguished from P. capillare by its longer ligule and long-hairy upper surface of blade, and
by its smaller but coarser foliage. Other species of Panicum (P. tennesseense Ashe, P. boreale Nash and P.
huachucae Ashe) of similar growth habits are often found in pastures and meadows. The first two may be
distinguished from P. implicatum by their relatively glabrous blades and the latter by its short appressed
pubescence.
The Identification of ... Grasses ...
PANICUM CAPILLARE
20. Panicum capillare L. OLD WITCH GRASS, CAPILLARY PANIC-GRASS.
A stout, branching annual with very hairy sheaths and blades, occurring in dry soil; common as a weed in
cultivated fields and meadows.
Leaves rolled in the bud-shoot. Sheath not compressed, not keeled, conspicuously papillose-hispid between
the veins, dull green, split; margins overlapping and hyaline. Auricles absent. Collar broad, distinct, pubescent,
yellowish green. Ligule a dense fringe of hairs fused at base, 1.0 to 2.0 mm. long. Blade 8 to 15 mm. wide, 8
to 20 cm. long, soft, cordate and keeled at base, sharply taper-pointed at apex, densely short-pubescent on both
surfaces with silky hairs; midrib prominent; margins scabrous, papilloseciliate towards base of blade.
This species is distinguished from P. implicatum by its shorter ligule, broader and longer blades and annual
habit.
The Identification of ... Grasses ...
SETARIA LUTESCENS
21. Setaria lutescens (Weigel) Hubb. YELLOW BRISTLE-GRASS, YELLOW FOXTAIL, PIGEON GRASS.
Choetochloa glauca (L.) Scribn.
Setaria glauca (L.) Beauv.
A semi-erect, fibrous-rooted annual of waste places, cultivated ground or over-grazed pastures.
Leaves rolled in the bud-shoot. Sheath much compressed, sharply keeled, glabrous, pale green or frequently
tinged with purple and red towards base or on the veins, split, loose; hyaline margins sometimes overlapping.
Auricles absent. Collar narrow, distinct, continuous, glabrous, pale green, purplish or reddish. Ligule a fringe
of short hairs 1 mm. long or less, fused at base. Blade 4 to 10 mm. wide, 5 to 30 cm. long, flat, V-shaped
towards base, keeled, soft drooping, taper-pointed, not ridged but midrib prominent, slightly scabrous, light
green; upper surface slightly glaucous and bearing long, twisted and flexuous hairs near base; margins smooth
or slightly scabrous.
This species is distinguished from S. viridis by the flexuous, twisted and hygroscopic hairs at the base of the
blade and by the absence of cilia on the flattened sheath.
The Identification of ... Grasses ...
SETARIA VIRIDIS
22. Setaria viridis (L.) Beauv. GREEN BRISTLE-GRASS, GREEN FOXTAIL, BOTTLE GRASS.
Chaetochloa viridis (L.) Scribn.
Panicum viride L.
A coarse annual, semi-erect and branching from the base; common weed of waste places, cultivated fields
and gardens.
Leaves rolled in the bud-shoot. Sheath cylindrical or slightly compressed, not keeled, glabrous but
sometimes sparse-appressed pubescent, light green or tinged with purple towards base, split; margins pubescent
with hairs about 1 mm. long (where the margins overlap the inner one is glabrous). Auricles absent. Collar
broad, distinct, continuous, yellowish green or tinged with red, pubescent along base. Ligule a fringe of hairs 1
to 2 mm. long, fused at base, with the longer hairs towards the edges. Blade 4 to 10 mm. wide, 5 to 20 cm.
long, flat, not keeled, gradually tapering to a sharp tip, not ridged but midvein prominent, glabrous, green,
scabrous; margins serrulate-scabrous.
S. viridis is readily distinguishable from S. lutescens by the ciliate margins of the sheath and absence of
twisted hairs at the base of the blade. The ligule is longer, the sheath is not compressed and is of firmer texture
than in S. lutescens.
The Identification of ... Grasses ...
BROMUS CILIATUS
23. Bromus ciliatus L. FRINGED BROME-GRASS.
A tall perennial grass of moist soils; often occurring in natural meadows or in open woods.
Leaves rolled in the bud-shoot. Sheath not compressed, not keeled, retrorsely pilose, closed to within 1 cm.
of summit. Auricles absent. Collar narrow, distinct, glabrous, pale green, divided by midrib; margins
sometimes constricted. Ligule coarse-membranous, short (0.5 to 1 mm. long), truncate, entire or slightly
lacerate. Blade 4 to 10 mm. wide, 8 to 20 cm. long, flat, tapering to a sharp point, soft-pubescent, dark green,
slightly ridged on upper surface; midrib distinct on under surface; margins scabrous.
This species is distinguished from B. tectorum by its shorter ligule, and from B. inermis by its longer pubescent
sheath and blade.
The Identification of ... Grasses ...
BROMUS TECTORUM
24. Bromus tectorum L. DOWNY BROME-GRASS, DOWNY CHESS.
A slender tufted annual, rarely occurring in pastures which have been seeded at some time.
Leaves rolled in the bud-shoot. Sheath not compressed, keeled, softly pubescent, pale green, often pink or
purple tinged, split part way only. Auricles absent. Collar pubescent, pale, narrow, distinct, usually divided.
Ligule membranous, 1.5 to 2.5 mm. long, truncate, lacerate or coarsely ciliate near apex. Blade 4 to 8 mm.
wide, 5 to 12 cm. long, flat, softly pubescent, sharp pointed, pale green; margins pilose.
This species is distinguished from B. ciliatus by its longer ligule and from B. inermis by its pubescence.
The Identification of ... Grasses ...
BROMUS INERMIS
25. Bromus inermis Leyss. AWNLESS BROME-GRASS, SMOOTH BROMEGRASS, HUNGARIAN
BROME-GRASS.
A strong perennial with creeping scaly rootstocks, growing well in the various soil types, thriving best,
however, in loose sandy loam; used as a pasture and meadow plant but escaping to fence rows and roadsides
where it becomes so persistent as to be a weed.
Leaves rolled in the bud-shoot. Sheath not compressed, slightly or not at all keeled, glabrous or the lower
rarely sparse-pubescent, scabrous, closed to near the summit. Auricles absent or rarely rudimentary. Collar
narrow, glabrous, light green, divided. Ligule membranous, short (about 0.5 mm. long), obtuse, entire or
slightly lacerate. Blade 4 to 12 mm. wide, 15 to 40 cm. long, flat, tapering to a sharp point, glabrous but
sometimes minutely pubescent on both surfaces, dark green, almost ridgeless above, slightly keeled below;
margins scabrous.
This grass is distinguished from the other species of Bromus by its glabrous, or nearly glabrous, sheaths and
blades.
The Identification of ... Grasses ...
DIGITARIA SANGUINALIS
26. Digitaria sanguinalis (L.) SCOP. LARGE CRAB-GRASS) FINGER-GRASS.
Syntherisma sanguinalis (L.) Dulac
Panicum sanguinale L.
Digitaria fimbriata Link
A low-growing spreading, hairy and pale green annual, bent and often rooting at the nodes; frequently
occurring along roadsides, in over-grazed pastures, lawns and gardens.
Leaves rolled in the bud-shoot. Sheath compressed, pilose, green but sometimes purplish-veined, split with
margins hyaline. Auricles absent. Collar broad, distinct, sparsely hairy, divided by midrib. Ligule
membranous, 0.5 to 2.0 mm. long, acute, undulate or toothed, often reddish. Blade 4 to 10 mm. wide, 5 to 15
cm. long, flat, soft, drooping, often puckered, sharp-pointed, green, not ridged, pilose on both surfaces with a
few longer hairs at base on upper surface; midrib prominent on lower surface; margins scabrous.
D. sanguinalis is a stouter-growing grass than D. Ischaemum, is pubescent on the sheaths and blades and
generally lacks the purple coloring.
The Identification of ... Grasses ...
DIGITARIA ISCHAEMUM
27. Digitaria Ischaemum (Schreb.) Muhl. SMALL CRAB-GRASS, SMOOTH CRAB-GRASS.
Digitaria humifusa Pers.
Syntherisma Ischaemum (Schreb.) Nash
Panicum glabrum Gaud.
A low, branching, ascending or nearly prostrate annual growing as a weed in lawns, pastures, meadows and
waste places.
Leaves rolled in the bud-shoot. Sheath compressed, glabrous or the basal ones sometimes sparsely hairy,
pale green, tinted pink or purple, split, with margins hyaline and overlapping. Auricles absent. Collar broad,
distinct, with a few flexuous hairs at the margin, pale, often divided. Ligule membranous, 2 to 3 mm. long,
obtuse to truncate, slightly undulate, thickened and often tinted at the edges. Blade 2 to 6 mm. wide, 2 to 10
long, flat, cordate at base, sharp-pointed, not ridged, dull green or tinged with purple, sparsely hairy with
twisted hairs at base on upper surface; margins glabrous or sparsely ciliate, smooth or scabrous.
D. Ischaemum is distinguished from D. sanguinalis by its smaller size and glabrous and usually purplish
sheaths.
The Identification of ... Grasses ...
ANTHOXANTHUM ODORATUM
28. Anthoxanthum odoratum L. SWEET VERNAL GRASS.
A bright green perennial with short rootstocks and tufted stems in meadows, open woods and pastures;
widely distributed in the part of our range, thriving best in moist sandy loam.
Leaves rolled in the bud-shoot. Sheath not compressed, slightly glabrous or sometimes pubescent; margins
hyaline, overlapping when young. Auricles absent or reduced. Collar broad, pale green, divided, often dilated
and frilled with long dense hairs on the margins. Ligule membranous, about 2 mm. long, obtuse to truncate,
ciliate. Blade 3 to 8 mm. wide 4 to 20 cm. long; flat, bright green, hairy especially near base; upper surface
ridged; margins scabrous, sparsely hairy at base.
This grass has a distinctive sweet odour which becomes more pronounced as the plant dries.
The Identification of ... Grasses ...
HORDEUM JUBATUM
29. Hordeum jubatum L. WILD BARLEY, SQUIRREL-TAIL GRASS, FOX TAIL BARLEY.
A fine-leaved, erect perennial with inconspicuous rhizomes, sometimes found along roadsides and in fields
on moderately moist silty or sandy loam soils.
Leaves rolled in the bud-shoot. Sheath not compressed, not keeled, pale green or pink-tinted at base,
glaucous, glabrous, the lower generally pubescent, split with hyaline margins overlapping. Auricles absent or
reduced. Collar broad, glabrous, pale green, continuous. Ligule membranous, 0.5 to 1 mm. long, obtuse to
truncate ciliate. Blade 2 to 6 mm. wide, 5 to 12 cm. long, erect, tapering gradually to a sharp point, glabrous,
light bluish green; upper surface pubescent and prominently ridged; margins slightly scabrous.
The Identification of ... Grasses ...
PHLEUM PRATENSE
30. Phleum pratense L. TIMOTHY, HERD'S GRASS.
A glabrous perennial with bulbous base, growing in more or less compact tufts; the most extensively
cultivated of meadow grasses, escaping freely and becoming established in natural meadows and pastures,
roadsides and waste places.
Leaves rolled in the bud-shoot. Sheath not compressed, glabrous, light green, sometimes purplish at base in
young plants, split almost to base; margins hyaline and edges overlapping to near base. Auricles absent. Collar
broad, distinct, glabrous, light green, continuous; margins sparsely retrorse-ciliate. Ligule membranous, white,
1.0 to 2.5 mm. long, obtuse to acute, with distinct notch at either side, otherwise entire or minutely toothed.
Blade 4 to 12 mm. wide, 7 to 25 cm. long, flat, sharp-pointed, light green, glabrous; ridges on the upper surface
low and rounded; under surface smooth, slightly keeled at base; margins scabrous, retrorsely so at the base.
Phleum pratense is sometimes confused with Agrostis alba but can be distinguished by its white and more
opaque ligule with a notch at either side and without hairs on the back. The presence of cilia on the shoulder
and less conspicuous ridging of the upper surface of the blade are also diagnostic.
The Identification of ... Grasses ...
ARRHENATHERUM ELATIUS
31. Arrhenatherum elatius (L.) Beauv. TALL OAT-GRASS.
A. avenaceum Beauv.
Avena elatior L.
A tall, loosely tufted perennial introduced into meadows or pastures through seeding, very seldom occurring
naturally.
Leaves rolled in the bud-shoot. Sheath not compressed, keeled, glabrous or very sparsely hairy, green, split
with overlapping margins. Auricles absent. Collar broad, glabrous, pale green or yellow, divided, generally
oblique. Ligule membranous, white, 1.5 to 2.5 mm. long, truncate to obtuse, generally finely toothed or entire,
minutely hairy on back. Blade 3 to 10 mm. wide, 10 to 50 cm. long, flat, soft, sharp-pointed, glabrous, ridged
on upper surface, smooth on under surface, keeled at midrib; margins slightly scabrous.
Arrhenatherum elatius is distinguished from Phleum pratense by its truncate, puberulent, ciliate-toothed
ligule and absence of retrorse cilia on the collar. It is distinguished from Alopecurus pratensis by its less
scabrous blade margins, more truncate ligule and thinner sheaths which are keeled but never reddish at the
base.
The Identification of ... Grasses ...
PHALARIS ARUNDINACEA
32. Phalaris arundinacea L. REED CANARY-GRASS.
A stout, erect perennial with long, scaly rootstocks; particularly adapted to mucky, sandy loam or silty loam
soils high in moisture content, though fairly resistant to drought under cultural conditions; a valuable meadow
grass.
Leaves rolled in the bud-shoot. Sheath not compressed, glabrous, smooth, light green or yellow-green;
margins membranous and overlapping below; veins distinct and joined by numerous cross-nerves. Auricles
absent. Collar distinct, glabrous, pale green or yellow, continuous, oblique. Ligule membranous, white, 2 to 5
mm. long, acute to obtuse, entire, erose, lacerate or split, minutely hairy on back. Blade 6 to 15 mm. wide, 10
to 30 cm. long, flat, sharp-pointed, glabrous or rarely very sparsely hairy at base, light green, glaucous,
indistinctly ridged on upper surface; midrib prominent below; margins scabrous, slightly ciliate at base.
The Identification of ... Grasses ...
ALOPECURUS PRATENSIS
33. A1opecurus pratensis L. MEADOW FOXTAIL.
A slightly stoloniferous, glabrous perennial forming loose tufts of shoots with abundant dark green foliage;
thriving best in low-lying clays and loams or soils subject to temporary flooding; often seeded in meadows and
pastures.
Leaves rolled in the bud-shoot. Sheath not compressed, glabrous, green. sometimes purplish at base, split
with the broad-hyaline margins overlapping. Auricles absent. Collar medium broad, glabrous, light green or
yellow, divided, oblique. Ligule coarse-membranous, faintly striate, 1.0 to 2.5 mm. long, truncate to obtuse,
entire, ciliate, undulate or oblique, puberulent on back, variable in shape and margin. Blade 3 to 8 mm. wide,
10 to 15 cm. long, flat, taper-pointed, dull; upper surface scabrous and prominently ridged; midrib forming a
slight keel on under surface; margins quite scabrous.
Alopecurus pratensis may be distinguished from Phleum pratense by its more scabrous blade margins,
absence of cilia on collar and absence of notches on the ligule.
The Identification of ... Grasses ...
AGROSTIS ALBA
34. Agrostis alba L. RED-TOP.
A. stolonifera L., var., major (Gaud.) Farw.
A. Palustris Huds.
A. stolonifera L., var. gigantea Koch
A dark green, glabrous perennial with erect or geniculate culms and long, vigorous, creeping rootstocks
forming a thick sod; widely distributed on moderately moist soils; a common grass of pastures, meadows, fields
and roadsides.
Leaves rolled in the bud-shoot. Sheath not compressed, not keeled, glabrous, smooth, green, longer than the
internode on the basal shoots, split with margins overlapping. Auricles absent. Collar prominent, glabrous,
pale green, V-shaped, usually oblique. Ligule membranous, thin, 1.5 to 4.0 mm. long, rounded to acute,
lacerate, erose, or split, minutely retrorse hairy on back. Blade 2 to 7 mm. wide, 5 to 20 cm. long, flat, tapering
to a sharp point, prominently ridged on upper surface; midrib distinct below; surfaces scabrous or smooth;
margins scabrous.
A. alba is distinguished from Phleum pratense by the glabrous margins of collar, the absence of a notch at
either side of ligule and by the prominently ridged upper surface of blade. It is distinguished from A. palustris
by the absence of long surface stolons and non-creeping habit. It has a longer ligule and broader blades in
comparison to A. tenuis and A. hiemalis, respectively.
The Identification of ... Grasses ...
AGROSTIS PALUSTRIS
35. Agrostis palustris Huds. CREEPING BENT-GRASS, CARPET BENTGRASS.
A. stolonifera L.. var. compacta Hartm.
A. alba L., var., maritima (Lam.) G. Meyer.
A. maritima Lam.
A prostrate and low-growing, glabrous perennial with numerous long stolons spreading along the surface of
the ground, branching and rooting at the nodes; forming mats of foliage in moist situations in pastures and
ditches, generally on sandy soils.
Leaves rolled in the bud-shoot. Sheath not compressed, not keeled, glabrous, smooth, pale green or purplish,
shorter than or equaling the internode in length on the vegetative shoots, split with hyaline margins. Auricles
absent. Collar distinct, glabrous, pale green, usually oblique. Ligule membranous, thin, 1.5 to 3 mm. long,
rounded or obtuse, finely lacerate-toothed or entire, minutely hairy on the back. Blade 1.5 to 4 mm. wide, 3 to
10 cm. long, erect, flat, tapering, distinctly ridged on upper surface, slightly keeled on lower surface, scabrous
on the surfaces and margins.
Creeping bent-grass and red top are often considered as varieties of A. stolonifera being very similar to redtop in leaves and ligule and differing from it in habit of growth, the former producing long surface stolons and
the latter rootstocks.
The Identification of ... Grasses ...
AGROSTIS TENUIS
36. Agrostis tenuis Sibth. BROWN-TOP, COLONIAL BENT-GRASS, RHODE ISLAND BENT-GRASS.
A. alba L., var. vulgaris (With.) Thurb.
A. capillaris L.
A. vulgaris Thurb.
A dark green, glabrous perennial spreading by short rootstocks, forming a compact sod or appearing slightly
tufted; found in meadows and permanent pastures in the southern and eastern parts of our range on poor soils
of moderate or small amount of moisture.
Leaves rolled in the bud-shoot. Sheath not compressed, glabrous, green or purplish, longer than internode on
vegetative shoots, split with the hyaline margins overlapping. Auricles absent. Collar distinct, narrow,
glabrous, light green, continuous or divided by the midrib, oblique. Ligule membranous, short (0.3 to 1.2 mm.
long), truncate, entire or finely toothed, sparsely and minutely hairy on back. Blade 1.5 to 3.5 mm. wide, 2 to
10 cm. long, truncate at base, sharp-pointed, flat with margins rolling in towards the apex, involute in dry
weather, dark green, dull or sometimes shiny on the under surface, distinctly ridged on the upper surface,
slightly keeled on under surface; margins and upper surface scabrous.
A. tenuis can be distinguished from A. alba by its short, truncate ligule, smaller size and darker and more
delicate foliage.
The Identification of ... Grasses ...
AGROPYRON PAUCIFLORUM
37. Agropyron pauciflorum (Schwein.) Hitchc. SLENDER WHEAT-GRASS DOG COUCH GRASS,
WESTERN RYE-GRASS.
A. trochycaulum (Link) Malte
A. tenerum Vasey
An erect perennial with very short rootstocks, growing in dense tufts and branches; sometimes found in
seeded pastures.
Leaves rolled in the bud-shoot. Sheath not compressed, glabrous, light green, split; margins hyaline.
Auricles rudimentary or absent. Collar distinct, glabrous, pale green, continuous, often oblique. Ligule
membranous, 0.5 to 1.0 mm. long, truncate, finely ciliate. Blade 3 to 6 mm. wide, 5 to 25 cm. long, flat, narrow
at base, tapering to a sharp point, medium green, glaucous, scabrous and distinctly ridged on upper surface,
keeled on under side; margins scabrous.
Agropyron pauciflorum is distinguished from Agrostis tenuis by its broader blades, rudimentary auricles and
its tufted habit.
The Identification of ... Grasses ...
AGROSTIS HIEMALIS
38. Agrostis hiemalis (Walt.) B.S.P. HAIR GRASS, TICKLE GRASS, FLY-AWAY GRASS.
A. scabra Willd.
A small, tufted grass with the very narrow, soft leaves clustered in a basal rosette; growing commonly on dry,
sandy soil in old meadows and pastures where the sod is open.
Leaves rolled in the bud-shoot. Sheath not compressed, slightly keeled, glabrous, smooth, pale green to
white or purplish, split. Auricles absent. Collar narrow, inconspicuous, pale green. Ligule membranous, 1 to
2.5 mm. long, truncate or three-pointed, entire or finely lacerate, hairy on the back. Blade 0.5 to 2 mm. wide, 2
to 8 cm. long, soft, very sharp taper-pointed, often inrolled or involute and hair-like when dry, glabrous,
distinctly ridged and scabrous on upper surface, smooth and distinctly keeled on under surface; margins
scabrous.
The Identification of ... Grasses ...
ECHINOCHLOA CRUSGALLI
39. Echinochloa crusgalli (L.) Beauv. BARNYARD GRASS.
Panicum crusgalli L.
A coarse annual with broad leaves; a weed in open meadows, cultivated fields and especially in waste land
about buildings.
Leaves rolled in the bud-shoot. Sheath compressed, keeled, glabrous, smooth, pale green, split. Auricles
absent. Collar conspicuous, broad, glabrous, light yellowish green. Ligule absent. Blade 8 to 15 mm. wide, 10
to 30 cm. long, glabrous, pale or yellowish green, keeled, not ridged; margins smooth or scabrous.
The Identification of ... Grasses ...
8. CITATIONS
Armstrong, S. F.
1921. British Grasses and their Employment in Agriculture. Cambridge Univ. Press, London
Burr, S. and D. M. Turner.
1933. British Economic Grasses. Their identification by the leaf anatomy. Ed. ward Arnold & Co.,
London.
Carrier, L.
1917. The identification of grasses by their vegetative characters. U. S. Dept. Agr. But. 461.
Copple, R. F. and A. E. Aldous.
1932. The identification of certain native and naturalized grasses by their vegetative characters. Kansas
Agr. Exp. Sta. Tech. But. 32.
Henning, E.
1930. Bestimmungstabellen ffir Graser und Hulsenfruchte im blutenlosen Zustande. [Table for the
identification of grasses and legumes in the nonflowering condition]. Translated from the Swedish by F.
v. Meissner, Springer. Berlin.
Hitchcock, C. L.,
1936. A key to the grasses of Montana. Publ. by author, Missoula, Mont.
Howarth, W. 0.
1925. On the occurrence and distribution of Festuca ovina L., sensu amtliss., in Britain. Linn. Soc. Jour.,
47.
Huber, T. A.
1931. Schlussel zum Bestimmen der wichtigsten Wiesen-und Weidepflanzen (Graser, Krauter and
Kleearten) im blutenlozen Zustande. [Key for the identification of the important grassland plants (grasses,
herbs and clovers) when not in flower]. P. Parey, Berlin.
Jessen, K. F. W.
1863. Deutschlands Grdser. Leipzig.
Keim, F. D., G. W. Beadle and A. L. Frolik.
1932. The identification of the more important prairie hay grasses of Nebraska by their vegetative
characters. Neb. Agr. Exp. Sta. Res. But. 65.
Lewton-Brain, L.
1904. On the anatomy of the leaves of British grasses. Trans. Linn. Soc., ser. 3, 4: 315-359.
McAlpine, A. N.
1890. How to know grasses by their leaves. Stand. Cyclop. Mod. Agr. 6: 153-160.
Norton, J. B. S.
1930. Maryland grasses. Md. Agr. Exp. Sta. But. 323: 314-323.
Pechanec, J. F.,
1936. The identification of grasses on the Upper Snake River Plains by their vegetative characters.
Ecology, 17 : 479-490.
Percival, J.
1910. Agricultural Botany. Henry Holt & Co., New York.
Prat, H.,
1932. L'epiderme des Graminees; etude anatomique et systematique. Ann. Sci. Nat. Bot. Ser. 10, 14 :117324.
Schindler, H.
1925. Schlussel zur mikroskopischen Bestimmung der Wiesengraser im blutenlosen Zustande. [Key to
the microscopic identification of meadow grasses in the non-flowering condition]. Springer, Wien.
Stebler, F. G. and C. Schroter.
1889. The Best Forage Plants. Nutt, London.
Theron, J. J.,
1936. Anatomisch-systematische untersuchungen der laubblatter sudafrikanis cher Aristidaarten. Repert.
Spec. novarum regni vegetabilis. XL. 1-10, 1-37.
Vickery, J. W.,
1935. The leaf anatomy and vegetative characters of the indigenous grasses of New South Wales. 1.
Andropogoneae, Zoysieae, Tristegmeae. Proc. Linn. Soc. N.S.W., 60 :340-373.
Ward, H. M.
1901. Grasses. Cambridge Univ. Press, London.
Whyte, J. H.
1930.The recognition of some agricultural grasses by their vegetative characters. Trans. and Proc. Bot.
Soc. Edin., 30 : 206-208.
The Identification of ... Grasses ...
INDEX TO BOTANICAL NAMES
Page
Page
Agropyron cristatum
37
Elymus Wiegandii
38
Agropyron pauciflorum
58
Festuca elatior
34
Agropyron repens
36
Festuca ovina
24
Agropyron tenerum
58
Festuca pratensis
34
Agropyron trachycaulum
58
Festuca rubra
25
Agrostis alba
55
Glyceria grandis
29
Agrostis alba maritima
56
Glyceria nervata
28
Agrostis alba vulgaris
57
Glyceria striata
28
Agrostis capillaris
57
Hordeum jubatum
50
Agrostis hiemalis
59
Lolium italicum
35
Agrostis maritima
56
Lolium multiflorum
35
Agrostis palustris
55, 56
Lolium perenne
22
Agrostis scabra
59
Panicularia americana
29
Agrostis stolonifera compacta
56
Panicularia grandis
29
Agrostis stolonifera gigantea
55
Panicularia nervata
28
Agrostis stolonifera major
55
Panicum capillare
41
Agrostis tenuis
57
Panicum crusgalli
60
Agrostis vulgaris
57
Panicum glabrum
48
Alopecurus pratensis
54
Panicum implicatum
40
Arrhenatherum elatius
52
Panicum lanuginosum implicatum
40
Arrhenatherum avenaceum
52
Panicum Lindheimeri implicatum
40
Anthoxanthum odoratum
49
Panicum sanguinale
47
Avena elatior
52
Panicum viride
43
Bromus ciliatus
44
Phalaris arundinacea
53
Bromus inermis
46
Phleum pratense
51
Bromus tectorum
45
Poa annua
32
Chaetochloa glauca
42
Poa compressa
26
Chaetochloa viridis
43
Poa palustris
31
Dactylis glomerata
33
Poa pratensis
27
Danthonia spicata
23
Poa serotina
31
Digitaria fimbriata
47
Poa triflora
31
Digitaria humifusa
48
Poa trivialis
30
Digitaria Ischaemum
48
Setaria glauca
42
Digitario sanguinalis
47
Setaria lutescens
42
Echinochloa crusgalli
60
Setaria viridis
43
Elymus canadensis
38
Syntherisma Ischaemum
48
Elymus robustus
38
Syntherisma sanguinalis
47
Elymus virginicus
39
Names in italics are synonyms.
* Nomenclature according to "The Manual of the Grasses of the United States" by A. S. Hitchcock,
U.S.D.A. Misc., Pub., 200, 1935.
NOTE - These pages have been corrected as per the ERRATA listed below.
ERRATA
On pages 62 and 63 the pages referred to in the index of Botanical and Common names are in error. In
each case subtract two to find the correct page.
The Identification of ... Grasses ...
INDEX TO COMMON NAMES
Annual blue-grass
Awnless brome-grass
Barley, foxtail
wild
Barnyard grass
Bent-grass, carpet
colonial
creeping
Rhode Island
Blue-grass annual
Canada
fowl
Kentucky
rough
Bottle grass
Bristle-grass, green
yellow
Brome-grass, awnless
downy
f ringed
Hungarian
smooth
Brown-top
Canada blue-grass
Canada wild rye
Canary-grass, reed
Chess, downy
Cocksfoot
Colonial bent-grass
Couch grass
Couch grass, dog
Crab-grass, large
small
Page
32
46
50
50
60
60
57
56
57
32
26
31
27
30
43
43
42
46
45
44
46
46
57
26
38
53
45
33
57
36
58
47
48
Low spear-grass
Lyme grass
Manna-grass, American
fowl
nerved
reed
Meadow fescue
Meadow foxtail
Meadow-grass, annual
flat-stemmed
fowl
reed
rough-stalked
Swamp
Nerved manna-grass
Oat-grass, poverty
tall
wild
Old witch grass
Orchard grass
Panic-grass, capillary
woolly
Perennial rye-grass
Pigeon grass
Poverty grass
Quack grass
Red fescue
Red-top
Reed canary-grass
Reed manna-grass
Rough blue-grass
Roughstalked meadow-grass
Rye-grass, Italian
Page
32
38, 39
29
28
28
29
34
54
32
26
28, 31
29
30
31
28
23
52
23
41
33
41
40
22
42
23
36
25
55
53
29
30
30
35
smooth
Creeping bent-grass
Crested wheat-grass
Darnel, common
Downy brome-grass
Fescue, meadow
red
sheep
Finger grass
Fly-away grass
Fowl blue-grass
Fowl meadow-grass
Foxtail, green
meadow
yellow
Fringed brome-grass
Glyceria, tall
Green bristle-grass
Hair grass
Herd's grass
Italian rye-grass
June grass
Kentucky blue-grass
Large crab-grass
48
56
37
22
45
34
25
24
47
59
31
28, 31
43
54
42
44
29
43
59
51
35
27
27
47
perennial
western
Sheep fescue
Slender wheat-grass
Small crab-grass
Squirrel-tail grass
Sweet vernal grass
Tall oat-grass
Terrell grass
Tickle grass
Timothy
Virginia wild rye
Western rye-grass
Wheat-grass, crested
slender
Wild barley
Wild rye, Canada
nodding
Virginia
Wild oat-grass
Wire grass
Woolly panic-grass
Yellow bristle grass
22
59
24
58
48
50
49
52
39
59
51
39
58
37
58
50
38
38
39
23
26
40
23
The Identification of ... Grasses ...
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The Identification of ... Grasses ...
APPENDIX PLATES
EXPLANATION: In the following figures the stippled areas indicate vascular bundles, the blackened areas,
schlerenchymatous tissue, and the outlined areas in the mesophyll, air-lacunae. The term asperity means "rough
excrescence" and refers to outgrowing epidermal cells which project beyond the epidermis, giving the grass a
scabrous surface.
The Identification of ... Grasses ...
PLATE I.
FIGURE 1.
FIGURE 2.
FIGURE 3.
FIGURE 4.
FIGURE 5.
FIGURE 6.
Transverse sections of bud-shoots showing sheath
and enclosed leaf-blades (Magnification about 20 times).
A typical cylindrical shoot with rolled blades and sheath with
overlapping and membranous margins (Phleum pratense).
Cylindrical shoot with folded blades (Danthonia spicata).
A typical cylindrical shoot of Juncus with the three-ranked
arrangements of leaves and thin, membranous overlapping
margins of the sheath (J. macer).
Compressed shoot with rolled blades. The single blade is
shown enveloped by two sheaths (Echinochloa crusgalli).
A typical compressed shoot with folded blades and closed
sheath (Dactylis glomerata).
A typical triangular shoot of Carex-showing the three-ranked
arrangement of leaves and sheath closed by a thin membrane (C.
stipita).
The Identification of ... Grasses ...
The Identification of ... Grasses ...
PLATE II .
FIGURE 1.
FIGURE 2.
FIGURE 3.
FIGURE 4.
FIGURE 5.
Transverse sections of leaf-blades. (Magnification
about 60 times).
Carex stipita. Plicate blade showing deeply
penetrating motor cells, midrib and air-lacunae.
Juncus macer. Flat or slightly channeled blade
showing upper epidermis of large thin-walled motor
cell, air-lacunae, stomata in lower epidermis only.
Festuca ovina. Bristle-like blade closely folded with
prominent ridge over midrib and less prominent ones
over the two adjacent vascular bundles, upper
epidermis harsh with asperities, lower epidermis
thickened with sub-epidermal sclerenchymatous tissue
in elongated patches below the bundles and
conspicuous at the margins.* (a) Section at tip of
blade-, (b) middle of blade, (c) base of blade.
Festuca rubra. Bristle-like blade when folded but
often open and flat, more prominently ridged than in
above with five to seven ridges, upper surface with
asperities, lower surface bordered with small patches
of sclerenchyma beneath the bundles. (a) Section at tip
of blade, (b) middle of blade, (3) base of blade.
Festuca elatior. Broad, flat blade prominently ridged
with the ridges slightly flattened over large bundles,
motor cells not well developed in furrows, clear cells
over midrib and main bundles, sclerencbyma in apex
of each ridge, at margins, and below some bundles,
bundles never girdered.
*Howarth says that although an Festuca ovina sens. strict. the sub-epidermal schlerenchymatous layer
is usually broken between the vascular bundles, or may be almost absent, it is continuous in certain
glaucous green forms.
The Identification of ... Grasses ...
The Identification of ... Grasses ...
PLATE III.
Transverse sections of blades of species with blades folded
in the bud-shoot. (Figures I to 7 magnified about 60 times,
figure 8 about 20 times).
FIGURE 1.
Poa compressa. Broad, smooth, slightly folded blade with
motor cells flanking midrib, sharply keeled beneath,
sclerenchyma not strongly developed but girdering some
bundles below, upper epidermis with rare asperities, clear
cells distinct above main bundles, transverse vein shown
joining second and third bundle.
Poa pratensis (a broad-leaved specimen from field). Broad,
thick, smooth blade folded to a V-shape, motor cells
flanking the midrib, upper epidermis with occasional
asperities, lower surface less sharply keeled than in P.
compressa, sclerenchyma girdering main bundles, clear
cells over main veins.
Poa pratensis (a narrow-leaved specimen from field). The
same as Fig. 2 except for reduction in the amount of
sclerenchyma. Figures 2 and 3 show the variation that may
be expected within a species.
FIGURE 2.
FIGURE 3.
FIGURE 4.
Poa palustris. Similar to P. compressa except for its thinner
blade, absence of clear cells over main bundles, and usually
less sclerenchyma.
FIGURE 5.
Danthonia spicata. Narrow blade, tending to become
involute, not keeled, ridged with motor cells in furrows
towards midrib, smooth, thicker and without well-defined
motor cells towards margin, upper epidermis thin-walled,
lower epidermis thick-walled on outer side, sclerenchyma
heavy at margins and girdering main bundles, rows of long
hairs are frequently present towards edges of the blade.
FIGURE 6.
Dactylis glomerata. Broad, smooth blade folded to V-shape
with motor cells as a band over midrib, keeled,
sclerenchyma fairly well developed, girdering the main
bundles.
Glycera striata. Relatively narrow blade with motor cells
flanking midrib, faintly ridged, the vascular bundles, except
the midvein, lying between the arches rather than beneath,
sclerenchyma above and below all bundles.
FIGURE 7.
FIGURE 8.
Glyceria grandis. Broad blade, often completely folded
with motor cells flanking midrib, ridges and keel slightly
more apparent than in G. striata, lacunae usually more
prominent (the size of lacunae varies with age of the leaf
and habitat of particular plant) , clear cells more
conspicuous and sclerenchyma less than in G. striata.
The Identification of ... Grasses ...
The Identification of ... Grasses ...
PLATE IV.
Transverse sections of blades of species with leaves rolled in
the bud-shoot. (Figures 1 and 2 magnified about 180 times;
figure 3 about 75 times; figures 4 to 7 about 60 times.
FIGURE 1.
Setaria viridis. Details of sclerenchyma and blade margin.
FIGURE 2.
Setaria viridis. Details of epidermis and mesophyll; epidermis
composed of large, cells, irregular in- size (a common type in
annual grasses with leaves rolled in bud-shoot, such as
Echinochloa and Digitaria) ; asperities occasional; vascular
bundles small with conspicuous bundle sheaths packed with
chloroplasts aggregated in a peculiar crescent shape in this
specimen collected in late autumn; sclerenchyma absent, except
at margins and midrib.
Setaria lutescens. Smooth, broad blade, keeled on lower surface
due to prominent patch of sclerenchyma beneath midrib; very
little sclerenchyma elsewhere; structure of bundles as in above.
FIGURE 3.
FIGURE 4.
Phleum pratense. Broad blade, ridged with low rounded ridges;
motor cells in furrows; slightly keeled on lower surface;
principal bundles girdered.
FIGURE 5.
Agrostis hiemalis. Very narrow blade, generally involute deeply
ridged with motor cells in furrows; upper epidermis with
numerous asperities; lower epidermis fairly smooth, distinctly
keeled at midrib; main bundles girdered.
FIGURE 6.
Agrostis alba. Broad blade, deeply ridged with rounded to acute
ribs; motor cells in furrows; upper and lower epidermis smooth,
or with some asperities.
FIGURE 7.
Agrostis tenuis. Blade with motor cells, in furrows, narrower
and more conspicuously ridged than A alba; lower epidermis
usually smooth; upper epidermis bearing asperities, main
bundles girdered; midrib more prominent than in A. alba.
The Identification of ... Grasses ...
The Identification of ... Grasses ...
The Identification of ... Grasses ...
PLATE V.
FIGURE 1.
FIGURE 2.
FIGURE 3.
FIGURE 4.
Transverse sections of blades. (Magnification about 60
times).
Alopecurus pratensis. Broad: flat blade: upper surface
deeply ridged with flattened ribs; motor cells in furrows;
lower surface smooth: not keeled; bundles occasionally
girdered in older leaves; very little sclerenchyma. at
margins.
Lolium perenne. Slightly folded blade: deeply ridged with
flattened or rounded ribs: without well developed motor
cells in furrows; upper epidermis with asperities; lower
epidermis smooth and keeled; sclerenchyma sparse at apex
of each rib: at margins and below main bundles; bundles
never girdered.
Lolium multiflorum. Broad blade: deeply ridged: with
more acute ribs than in L. perenne, without well developed
motor cells in furrows; upper and lower epidermis smooth:
or with occasional asperities; lower surface slightly keeled;
sclerenchyma sparse: in apex of each rib and below main
bundles; bundles never girdered.
Arrhenatherum elatius. Broad: flat blade: ridged: with low:
rounded ridges: without well developed motor cells in
furrows; upper epidermis with rare asperities; lower
epidermis rough with projecting: rounded epidermal cells:
keeled: slightly ridged over main veins.
The Identification of ... Grasses ...
The Identification of ... Grasses ...
MACDONALD COLLEGE PUBLICATIONS
OF
THE PASTURE PROJECT
1. Newton, D. E. and F. S. Nowosad, 1933. The relation of flora to soil
types in three districts of the Eastern Townships of Quebec. (Pasture Studies I). Mac. Coll. Tech. Bul. No. 11.
2. Nowosad, F. S., 1933. The effect of some commercial fertilizers on
the botanical composition and yield of permanent pastures. (Pasture Studies II). Sci. Agr. 14 :57-69. (Separate as Mac.
Coll. Jour. Series No. 33).
3. Crampton, E. W. and L. C. Raymond, 1934. Fertilization of permanent
pastures for steer grazing. (Pasture Studies III). Mac. Coll. Tech. Bul. No. 13.
4. Crampton, E. W., 1934. Nutritive value of pasture herbage: Quality
of protein. (Pasture Studies IV). Emp. Jour. of Exper. Agr. 2: 337-348. (Separate as Mac. Coll. Jour. Series No. 41.).
5. Newton, D. E. and P. C. Stobbe, 1934. The relation of flora to soil
types in the counties of Chateauguay, Huntingdon and Argenteuil in Quebec (Pasture Studies V). Mac. Coll. Tech. Bul.
No. 14.
6. Wrenshall, C. L. and R. R. McKibbin, 1935. A comparison of some
methods used in extracting soil phosphates, with a proposed new method. (Pasture Studies VI). Jour. of Amer. Soc. of
Agron. 27 :511-518. (Separate as Mac. Coll. Jour. Series No. 58).
7. Crampton, E. W. and D. A. Finlayson, 1935. The effect of fertilization
on the nutritive value of pasture grass. (Pasture Studies VII). Emp. Jour. of Exper. Agr. 3 :331-345. (Separate as Mac.
Coll. Jour. Series No. 59
8. Raymond, L. C., 1936. Improvement of grazing lands in Eastern
Canada. (Pasture Studies VIII). Emp. Jour. of Exper. Agr. 4 :51-61. (Separate as Mac. Coll. Jour. Series No. 64).
9. Nowosad, F. S. and D. E. Newton Swales and W. G. Dore, 1936.
(Revised 1938). The identification of certain native and natural-
The Identification of ... Grasses ...
ized hay and pasture grasses by their vegetative characters. (Pasture Studies IX). Mac. Coll. Tech. Bul. No. 16.
10. Dore, W. G., 1936. Succession and variation in the botanical composition
of permanent pastures. (Pasture Studies X). Sci. Agr. 16: 569-590. (Separate as Mac. Coll. Jour. Series No. 75).
11. Raymond, L. C., 1936. Pasture Research in Quebec. - Chemical, ecological
and nutritional phases. (Pasture Studies XI). Can. Jour. Res., Sect. C 14 : 394-411. (Separate as Mac. Coll. Jour. Series
No. 77).
12. Wrenshall, C. L. and R. R. McKibbin, 1937. The nature of the organic
phosphorus in soils (Pasture Studies XII). Can. Jour. Res., Sect. B. 15 : 475-479. (Separate as Mac. Coll. Jour. Series
No. 88).
13. Wrenshall, C. L., and R. R. McKibbin, 1938. The utilization of native
and applied phosphorous by pasture crops. (Pasture Studies XIII). Sci. Agr. 18: 606-619. (Separate as Mac. Coll. Jour.
Series No. 97).
14. Crampton, E. W., 1939. The nutritive value of pasture herbagesome
problems in its estimation and some results thus far obtained at Macdonald College. (Pasture Studies XIV). Sci. Agr. 19:
345-357. (Separate as Mac. Coll. Jour. Series No. 103).
15. Crampton, E. W., and R. P. Forshaw, 1939. The Intra-seasonal
Changes in the nutritive value of pasture herbage. (Pasture Studies XIV). Sci. Agr. 19: 701-711 (Separate as Mac. Coll.
Jour. Series No. 128).
16. Crampton, E. W., and R. P. Forshaw, 1940. The nutritive values of
Kentucky blue grass, red top, and brome grass, with particular reference to the relation between the chemical
composition of the herbages and the live weight gains made by the animals subsisting thereon. (Pasture Studies XVI).
Jour. of Nutrition 19: 161-172. (Separate as Mac. Coll. Jour. Series No. 131).
17. Crampton, E. W. and J. A. Campbell and E. H. Lange, 1940. The relative
ability of steers and rabbits to digest pasture herbage. (Pasture Studies XVII). Sci. Agr. 20: 504-509. (Separate as Mac.
Coll. Jour. Series No. 137).
The Identification of ... Grasses ...
18. Wrenshall, C. L. and L. S. Marcello, 194 1. The availability, utilization
and fixation of potassium applied to permanent pastures. (Pasture Studies XVIII). Sci. Agr. 21: 448-458. (Separate as
Mac. Coll. Jour. Series No. 146).
19. Crampton, E. W., and T. L. Purdy, 1941. A simplified apparatus
for the continuous extraction of moisture and fat from biolo6cal materials. (Pasture Studies XIX). Can. Jour. Res., Sect.
B 19: 116-121. (Separate as Mac. Coll. Jour. Series No. 155).
20. Frankton, C., and L. C. Raymond, 1941. An ecological and crop
survey of. Stanstead County. (Pasture Studies XX). Sci. Agr. 22: 178-194. (Separate as Mac. Coll. Jour. Series No.
156).
21. McFarland, W. D., and R. A. Chapman, 1941. An improved
Thiochrome method for the estimation of vitamin B1 . (Pasture Studies XXI). Can. Jour. Res., Sect. B 19: 136-142.
(Separate as Mac. Coll. Jour. Series No. 158).
22. Crampton, E. W. and T. L. Purdy, 1941. Dry matter defecation
as an index of forage intake by grazing methods. (Pasture Studies XXII). Sci. Agr. 22: 242-249. (Separate as Mac. Coll,
Jour. Series No. 159).
23. Chapman, R. A., and W. D. McFarlane, 1942. A proposed
modification of the fleurometric method for the estimation of riboflavin. (Pasture Studies XXIII). Can. Jour. Res. (In
Press).
24. Dore, W. G. and L. C. Raymond, 1942. Viable seeds in pasture
soil and manure. (Pasture Studies XXIV). Sci. Agr. (In Press).